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A member asked:
What distinguishes nmol/l in salivary from that in free plasma cortisol?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
There is: No way to compare since they measure different things. The salivary tests measures total cortisol, which is different from the free cortisol faction in the blood. Check w/your doctor. Either test can be effective when utilized properly.
Answered 7/18/2013
5k views
Can't compare #s: The numbers can't be compared--only their relationship to "normal" for each type of test (i.e., compare saliva with saliva normals, and serum with serum normals). In blood, there are "free" and "bound" levels of hormones, showing free (active) hormone, and hormone "bound" (inactivated) to serum proteins. In saliva, the amount of hormone is all free--there are no serum proteins to bind with.
Answered 3/8/2015
3.1k views
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